TOPIC 4.GENDER
The Concept of Gender
Meaning of Gender
Explain
the meaning of gender
Gender
refers to the state of being male or female. In this context, it refers to the
social relationship between men and women. It is concerned with the roles and
responsibilities of men and women in our families, communities and country.
Different Gender Concepts
Identify
different gender concepts
Gender concepts
There
are various concepts which are used in relation to the concept of gender. It is
important to know how they interrelate or differ in the whole process of
dealing with gender issues. These concepts are:
(a) Gender
equality
Gender
equality is the exercise of fairness and justice to all sexes without
discrimination or considering whether one is born male or female. It is based
on the belief that all people are equal and should therefore have equal access
to opportunities and resources. It is practiced in giving equal rights,
responsibilities and opportunities to women and men.
Activity 1
Are women and men treated equally in the community you come
from? Why?
(b) Gender
equity
Gender
equity is based on the principle that measures should be taken to bridge the
inequality between men and women. It is about giving priority to women in order
to reduce the imbalance that already exists.
(c) Gender
roles
A role
is a duty or importance of a person or a group in a particular activity or area
of life. Gender roles are, therefore, duties of a particular sex (male or
female) as determined by a society.
Gender roles can be divided into reproductive and productive
roles.
a. Reproductive roles are the
activities that include child-bearing and other domestic-related tasks. Some
societies do not value reproductive roles because they have no economic return.
However, these roles are very important for social and family stability
b. Productive roles are the
activities that men and women engage in to earn a living. These are valued in
many societies because they contribute directly to the economy
c.
Gender stereotyping is to have a fixed idea about a community, group or person, but
which is usually not true in reality. Gender stereotyping is whereby opinions
are formed about what men and women are capable of doing. It reflects people’s
attitudes and practices on gender division of labour. For example, some people
believe that boys are more capable in science subjects than girls. This is
gender stereotyping.
d. Gender discrimination is a
situation where one sex (male or female) is treated either better or worse than
the other some traditions and customs discriminate against women and favour
men. Women and girls are discriminated right from the family level. For
example, some people do not believe that girls should go to school. As a
result, there are differences in socio-economic and development activities.
e.
Gender analysis is a systematic effort to identify and understand the roles of women
and men within a given society. It involves collection of gender-specific
information and data from the community. This analysis is the first step
towards making the gender-sensitive planning needed for promoting gender
equality in the society.
f.
Gender mainstreaming is the taking into consideration gender issues in development
activities at all levels, for example, making laws, policies and programs. It
helps women and men to benefit equally from development projects.
g.
Gender blindness is the inability to know that there are different gender roles,
gender responsibilities and a gender-based hierarchy. This leads to the failure
to realize that policies, programs and projects can have a different impact on
men and women.
h. Gender balance is
majorly a human resource concept. It is about ensuring that men and women
participate equally at their work places.
Gender
issues in the society
Gender issues are topics which arise for discussion because
there existsinequality among the two sexes (male and female) in a society. The
following are some of the gender issues in the society:
·
Bride price
·
Wife inheritance
·
Female genital mutilation
·
Male dominance in the family community and society
·
Unequal distribution of domestic or economic tasks between men
and women.
·
Sexual harassment
Gender
issues occur due to contacts with other societies, religions and types of
education.
Negative
socio-cultural practices
Culture
refers to the totality of society’s way of life. It includes the customs, art,
beliefs and social organization of a particular group of people. In different
societies, there are socio-cultural practices that hinder equal participation
between men and women.
1. Wife
inheritance
To
inherit means to receive something such as a house, car, farm or money from
someone when he or she dies. Some societies in Tanzania regard women as
property that can be inherited. In these societies, when a woman’s husband
dies, another man - who is a member of her husband’s family - can inherit
her.This practice dehumanizes women and contributes to the spread of diseases
such as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
2. Female
genital mutilation
Female
genital mutilation is the removal of the outer part of the sexual organs of a
woman. It is also called female circumcision. Some communities in Tanzania
still practice female circumcision. It is taken as part of the initiation
process in which girls are trained to become responsible women.
Female circumcision is a
negative practice because
·
It can cause women to develop complications when giving birth.
·
The tools which are used for circumcision are not hygienic and
are used on many people. Hence, the spread of HIV and AIDS is very likely.
·
Bleeding after circumcision can lead to anaemia or even death.
·
Many girls drop out of school after the initiation because they
consider themselves mature women.
3. Early marriage
Early
marriage is the marriage of people who have not yet reached the legal age for
such a union. In Tanzania, this age is 18 years.
Early marriage leads to:
·
Dropping out from school, hence increasing illiteracy in the
society.
·
Greater risk of death because the reproductive organs of the
young mother are still immature.
·
Higher possibility of divorce and family instability as the
couple has little knowledge on family affairs.
4. Discrimination
against women
This is
a situation whereby women are treated badly in comparisonto men. This is
because of the traditions and customs that exist in some Tanzanian communities.
For example, men are the heads of families and are also decision-makers. Women
have no right to land, property, education and employment opportunities.
Socio-cultural
practices which discriminate against women should be abolished. This is because
if women are given a chance, they can contribute a lot to the family, community
and society. They are as capable as men in any profession necessary for
national development.
5. Cruelty/violence
against women
Some
Tanzanian communities have traditions and customs which give men power to
oppress women. Domestic violence is becoming a major problem in many families.
Some husbands beat their wives because their traditions and customs encourage
this practice. Women are forced to endure this mistreatment because they are
dependent on their husbands.
6. Regarding
women as sex objects
Some
societies in Tanzania regard women as sex objects. A woman has to remain at
home so as to refresh a man when he comes from work. She is not allowed to work
outside the home. These societies do not allow girls to get higher education,
with the belief that it is a waste time and money because girls are married off
to serve their husbands.
Corrective
Measures against Negative Socio-Cultural Practices
Suggest
corrective measures against negative socio-cultural practices
Though
it is very important for a nation to maintain its culture, there are some
negative socio-cultural practices which should be abandoned in order to bring
equality between men and women in the society.
Therefore, corrective measures should be taken jointly by the
government, community, family, non-governmental organizations and individual
citizens on the following aspects:
1. Empowerment
of women: Women should be given a chance to make decisions and exercise their
rights.
2. Mass
education: People should be educated about the dangers of negative
socio-cultural practices such as early marriage and female genital mutilation.
This will make people aware of the harm caused by these practices.
3. Enhancing
the existing laws on women’s rights: The government should enhance these laws
to enable women to participate in the same socio-economic activities as men.
For example, women should be able to own and inherit properties like land,
houses and business so as to have a strong economic base.
4. Use of
mass media: Radio, television and newspapers can be used to educate and give
people information concerning negative cultural practices and their effects in
the society.
5. Adjust
the school curriculum: Students should be made to understand the dangers of
negative cultural practices. They should be taught the effects these practices
have on the society and also what would be a better way of doing things.
6. Special
consideration should be given to women in education and politics as they have
been lagging behind for a long time. They should be given special seats in
parliament and given special provisions in admission for higher education.
Exercise 1
A. Write ‘T’ for a correct statement and ‘F’ for a wrong
statement.
1. Gender
roles are the same in all societies --------
2. Science
subject for female students is a gender blind issue ------------
3. Gender
equality can be achieved by empowering women in Tanzania ---------
4. Gender
balance involves increasing the number of women seats in parliament ------
5. The
long term for TAWLA is Tanzania Women Land Association ------
Exercise 2
B. Fill in the blanks
1. Write
down two reasons why wife inheritance is not encouraged in our society
2. List
down four ways through which women’s right are violated in Tanzania
3. Name
five social culture practices which hinder the equal participation of men and
women in the society.
4. Distinguish
between gender and sex
5. State the meaning of the following terms
·
Gender roles
·
Gender equity
·
Gender analysis
·
Gender discrimination
Exercise 3
1. Gender
oppression is the key to women dependence to men. Discuss
2. In
which ways is Tanzania implementing the process of enhancing gender equality?
3. “Everyone
in the society is born free “. Relate this statement with gender issues.
4. Suggest
any four collective measures that can be used to combat the out-dated
socio-cultural practices in Tanzania.